Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope – Review In Progress

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope doesn’t release until Thursday, October 20, but the review embargo lifts today. However, I’m still journeying through Mario’s latest tactical crossover, so I’m not ready to give a full verdict as of yet. These impressions are based roughly on the first half.

As a fan of Kingdom Battle, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve played of Sparks of Hope. It retains the core strategic gameplay of the original, so if you liked the first game, you’ll probably enjoy this as well. It is a game changer because it removes the grid, allowing you to move freely, which feels great. Interesting because it does not change how I play turn-based tactics games. Heroes still have limited ranges and can’t move after attacking. However, controlling heroes feels the same as in any third-person video game. Be betterIt allows you to position the stage in a way that is more flexible and appealing to people who are not tactics enthusiasts. Ubisoft Milan also used this approach to design encounters and stages. Level hazards and enemies can be triggered in real time. A lit bob bomb explodes in seconds no matter what order it is in, so I enjoy the fact that you don’t have to run ahead of them. 

Sparks also has a welcomed element of strategy. Equipping these Luma/Rabbid hybrids enhances standard attacks with elemental traits, like fire or ice. It is important to consider elemental weakness in addition to terrain and opponent type when I start a battle. I like how Sparks encourage me to be more mindful of the playing field; I’m constantly swapping Sparks between heroes and assembling my team accordingly. Sparks can be equipped to one hero per person, making everyone feel more open-minded. Sparks have prevented me from staying with one line-up so far. This is because of the flexibility in team composition. Squad assembly is more fun and interesting now that I can use any combination of heroes instead of being restricted to using one Mario character and one Rabbid as in Kingdom Battle.

The more activity-rich overworlds are much more interesting and enjoyable. I’ve run into tons of sidequests (though some are just more battles), a few decent environmental puzzles, and small mini-games that help break up the flow instead of running through battle after battle. They’re not the greatest overworlds I’ve explored, but they’re miles better than what Kingdom Battle offered. I feel like every planet has a lot of secrets, so it’s exciting to explore old worlds again and find new treasures. 

On the narrative side (yes, there is a plot), the writing is charming and inoffensive. Although the Rabbids are only speaking in short sentences, they still make a strange but enjoyable sound. The tale thus far goes for animated film-level comedy that’s squarely aimed at the young’uns, which is perfectly fine. Sparks of Hope’s humor doesn’t split my sides, but it hasn’t made me facepalm, either. 

Although I still have plenty of other games, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is my favorite sequel. The improvements made by Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope make me question how Kingdom Battle has been able to improve. It has a lot of flexibility in combat and movement, which I love. The battles are fun and challenging, making the major victories seem like real triumphs. We’ll see if the game continues its upward trajectory, but I’m happy with what I’ve experienced so far.